The Supervisory Board of LEONI announced changes to its executive board to further continuity of leadership. The company will extend the contract of CEO Klaus Rinnerberger through the end of 2027. He was lauded for helping LEONI return to operational success again following the financial restructuring in summer 2023. The Supervisory Board also extends the Executive Board mandate of Ingo Spengler as COO. His contract will now also run until the end of 2027. Dr. Harald Nippel will continue his role as a member of the Executive Board and CFO until April 2026. He will oversee and be responsible for the preparation of the financial results for fiscal 2025. The Supervisory Board reduced the Executive Board from four to three members as part of the company streamlining. Accordingly, the contract with Dr. Ursula Biernert as CHRO and labor director will not be extended by mutual agreement. She will be leaving the company over the summer to take on new professional challenges. The responsibilities previously summarized in the CHRO area will be transferred to the remaining members of the Executive Board. In the future, Rinnerberger will be responsible for HR, while the other two corporate functions, namely RCS (Risk, Compliance & Sustainability) and Real Estate, will report to CFO Dr. Harald Nippel. Based in Nuremberg, Germany, Leoni AG, is a global provider of energy and data management solutions in the automotive sector with branches throughout the world.

Amjad Abu-Ali has joined LLFlex as product manager for its wire and cable product portfolio, supporting the management, innovation and development of shielding and armoring tapes. He has more than 25 years of industry experience in the wire & cable industry, Amjad brings considerable experience and expertise to LLFlex. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, LLFlex is a leader in packaging materials and industrial laminate solutions for sectors that include wire and cable with manufacturing operations in Kentucky and North Carolina. 

WAGO has named Sy Stevens as the company’s new vice president of marketing and digitalization for the Americas. He will be leading and implementing strategic marketing initiatives across North and South America. He has a wealth of experience, having held marketing management positions at companies such as Rockwell Automation and Case IH. With operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America, WAGO, based in Germantown, Wisconsin, supplies spring pressure connection technology. 

Stherrim “Sterrin” Raymond has joined Wire & Cable Technology International (WCTI) as an editorial and production specialist. She will handle WCTI, Wire Forming Technology International and Fastener Technology International. She takes over for Jim Masar, who has retired from those magazines but will continue to edit WCTI’s Overview and FTI’s Fastener News Report newsletters. She holds a degree from the University of Akron. Based in Akron, Ohio, Initial Publications produces industry trade publications.

It’s never too early to make time to hit a bucket or two of golf balls to get in the mindset for WAI Chapter golf tournaments. As of this time, only the New England Chapter has a firm date (Sept. 9), but this section will have more details in future issues.

The collective chapter golf tournaments bring together professionals from the wire and cable industry for a day of camaraderie and sportsmanship. Beyond the obvious attraction of golfing, the events serve as an excellent platform to build new connections, exchange knowledge, and strengthen existing relationships within the industry.

Beyond that, the tournaments serve another purpose, and it’s an important one: they support the chapters that have college scholarship programs, so get out there and hit a few buckets. Until then, below are some photos from 2023.

John Markowski has returned to the Wire Association International in the newly created position of project manager of education that will play a crucial role in meeting the organization’s commitment to advancing industry knowledge and professional development.

“We’re thrilled to have John back with us,” said WAI Executive Director Steve Fetteroll, who noted that Markowski, the former manager of membership and social media, has a distinguished track record. He now will oversee the development of a robust training and development program geared towards empowering members with essential skills and knowledge.

“I’m on the lookout for experts to help us craft engaging and informative training modules,” Markowski said. “If you’re knowledgeable about wire and cable manufacturing, machinery operation, quality control, or any other relevant area, and are willing to share your knowledge with the industry, I want to hear from you!”

Markowski will help implement a comprehensive Learning Management System (LMS), a strategic initiative to revolutionize how educational content is delivered within the wire and cable manufacturing industry. He will focus on enhancing WAI’s educational offerings so they provide learning programs—mostly video—that directly apply to the shop floor. They will present the “how’s” and “why’s” of production processes.

Markowski will be involved in other ongoing initiatives, including the upcoming Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing Course at Wire Expo 2024. An Eagle Scout, he joined WAI as an intern in 2018 while attending Albertus Magnus College. He soon became a marketing associate, then two years later became manager of membership and social media. He left WAI in July 2023 and recently returned.